Search millions of free photos from Unsplash, Pexels and Pixabay without leaving WordPress. Insert them in the editor, use them as automatic featured images, or put them under your own design in a photo template.
Getting free API keys
Each library needs its own free key. You only need one, but you can add all three.
| Library | Where to get a key | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unsplash | unsplash.com/oauth/applications — create an app and copy its Access Key | New keys are limited to 50 searches an hour until Unsplash approves the app for production. |
| Pexels | pexels.com/api/new | |
| Pixabay | pixabay.com/api/docs — your key is shown once you’re signed in | Search results are cached for 24 hours, as Pixabay requires. |
Paste the key under Image Generator → Settings → Stock Photos and click Test Connection. Or define it in wp-config.php:
define( 'AIMG_UNSPLASH_KEY', 'your-access-key' );
define( 'AIMG_PEXELS_KEY', 'your-key' );
define( 'AIMG_PIXABAY_KEY', 'your-key' );Searching and inserting
Open the image modal from the ✨ block button, the AI Featured Image panel, or Media → Library → Generate Image, and choose the Unsplash, Pexels or Pixabay tab:
- The search is filled in with keywords from the post title — type your own to change it.
- Filter by Orientation (landscape, portrait, square) and Color.
- Scroll and click Load more for more results.
- Pick a photo and click Insert Photo.
The photo is downloaded into your Media Library with alt text and the photographer’s credit, then inserted into the block or set as the featured image. Importing the same photo again reuses the copy already in your library.
Automatic stock featured images
Under Settings → Automatic Featured Images → Generate With, choose Stock photo or Stock photo, template if none is found. When a post is saved without a featured image, a photo is found in the background with keywords from the post title. Then set:
- Library for Automatic Images — which library to use, or The first library with a key.
- Photo Orientation — Landscape (default), Portrait or Square.
- Import Size — Regular (about 1080–1900 px wide), Large (up to 2400 px wide, default) or Original (largest file).
Want the photo to carry your logo and title? Use a photo template with the Image template method instead.
Photographer credit
Unsplash, Pexels and Pixabay photos are free to use, and the libraries ask you to credit photographers where you can. With Credit ticked (the default), the plugin adds a credit with links to the image caption, which most themes show under the image. The credit is always saved with the image, even when this is off.
Privacy
Searches send only the search terms (what you type, or keywords from the post title) and your API key to the library you use. Thumbnails in search results load from the library’s servers in the editor, as the libraries require; the photo you pick is downloaded to your own Media Library, so visitors never load images from the library. Nothing is sent until you add a key and search. Photos are only downloaded from each library’s own image servers.
See each library’s terms: Unsplash (terms, API guidelines), Pexels (terms, license), Pixabay (terms, license).